Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-12-07
think now with the best of care

fixed intently on the face of her friend,
as if every word were life Or death to
her.
eff care can save him then he shall
surely live. How good God is to me!"
she added fervently, the tears falling
again, but this time like soft summer
rain.
"And my baby, Clarice, will he live
also ?" She almost held her breath,
awaiting the reply. Clarice did not
answer, only passed her arm around
Eva, and drew her head against her
shoulder.
"Clarice, tell me" Eva pleaded. sis
he dead?"
Eyes dear" Clarice said gently, her
tears falling in sympathy for the be-
reaved mother, she was dead before
the doctors came; he must have died
instantly"
'sNo he dieo in my arms |" Eva said
with sob, 81 remember he gave
one gasp as took him up. Oh, my
baby my baby ' and she broke forth
again into piteous sobs, and rising,
started to leave the room.
"One moment, please" Clarice said,
again OBTAINING her. ''Let me
go first, ne was asleep O. few
moments ago, and the doctor left
orders that he must not be disturbed.
She left the room, and in a few mo-
ments returned aud motioned Eva to
follow her.
"Be as calm as possible, DEAR" Clarice
whispered as she left her. AS the door
closed softly behind her friend, Eva
stood still a moment at her husbands
bedside. His head was well covered
with bandages, concealing the ugly
wounds beneath, the eyes were closed
and his face wore the pallor Of death.
Her heart grew faint within her;
surely he would die, if not already
dead; and every unkind word she had
ever spoken rose up before her like
avenglng spirits. How all the old
love revived with ten-fold power Fl
had never, even in their happiest days,
seemed so mex pressibly dear as at
that moment | Oh, if God would but
spare him, life time of devotion
should atone for all past unkindness.
A quick sob broke from her, not
withstanding her efforts ofself-control.
Richards eyes Enclosed and with g.
faint smile he held out his hand to her.
Dropping on her knees by the side of
the bed she laid her head beside his on
the pillow, while his arm was passed
fondly about her.
"Oh, Dick, forgive me |" she sobbed,
forgetting all her caution. 81 shall
never forgive myself; I'll never speak
an uukind word again, never, never,
never, while l live !" The sentences
were broken and disjointed, uttered
amidst sobs and tears.
'There, there, DEAR" Richard said,
gently, as he drew her face closer to
hlm and kissed her tenderly. Then,
with noble generosity, which seems
q part of some mems natures, he
added kindly: 81 was to blame; l
should have been more thoughtful; |
ought to have taken yOn out instead
of going off alone for my own pleasure.
We will begin anew, now"
He stopped, unable to finish the
sentence.
eyes, know! Harry is dead. On,
my baby, my baby!" she sobbed.
Richard 8 lips quivered and the heavy
eyelids were pressed upon the pallid
cheeks to repress the starting tears. He
drew her closely toward him and ten
derby pressed her tear-stained cheek
against his own in mute sympathy,
but could utter no word.
How very, very dear his beautiful
boy had been to the young father,
none but God might know.
For q long time they were very quiet,
Eva's sobs alone breaking the stiffness,
until at last those ceased and Richard
said softly:
"Evvle ~
eyes, daer !"
HOW many long months had passed
since she had heard the dear old pet
name from his lips How many more
since she had spoken one endearing
word to him! the sound of them
now carried them back to the old,
happy days before harsh words had
been spoken or unkipd feelings held
sway,
s'What do you wish, dear?" Eva
asked, waiting a moment for her hus.
bands request.
"Harry"-his lips trembled-he
could not go on.
eyes, DEAR" Eva said softly, divin-
ing intuitively, in her new-found
sympathy with her husband, the wish
he could not express.
Rising quietly, she passed out OF
the room. In few minutes she re-
turned, bearing the dead baby In her
arms.
All the violence of her grief seemed
hushed into stiffness in the presence
of death.
Seating herself on the side OF the
bed, she turned her precious burden
tenderly until the fathers eye could
rest on it's face, his hands touch it
without change of position.
Never in the full flush Of health and
inf,antile Leauty had their boy looked
more lovely than now, as, robed for
the grave, he lay in his mothers arms.
The fatal wound had been deity con-
ceal ed, and the locks OF hair fell over
the white forehead in soft, curling
rings; the long lashes OF the blue.veined
lids lay lightly on the fair, round
cheek; the sweet curved lips just part
ed with u smile, and the pretty dim
pied hands were crossed On the life